Running with a Stroller Could Lower Injury Risk, Study Shows

Life as a parent makes many things just a little bit harder. It’s tougher to make time for yourself, to get to the gym, to get out of the house, period, and to go on that run you used to love. But if you’re gearing up with your jogging stroller for your next outing, you’ll be happy to hear that your new addition isn’t just adding a little weight and resistance to your run, they may be bringing some benefits too.

In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers at Penn State Berks examined how running with a stroller impacts performance and injury risk. They looked at 38 healthy runners, both men and women who ran at least five days a week, and used a force plate to analyze the impact of each step with and without a stroller.

The results were encouraging for stroller runners everywhere. Researchers found that when participants ran with a stroller, there was a significant decline in vertical loading, or how quickly force is transferred into the body. On average, runners experienced an 8 to 17% reduction in vertical loading, meaning significantly less impact per step.

With up to 79% of runners reporting injuries each year, this decrease could have major implications. High vertical loading metrics are often linked to an increased risk of overuse injuries like knee pain, stress fractures and plantar fasciitis.

“When we’re running with a stroller, we unweight ourselves vertically because we put our hands on the handlebars and lean into it a little,” said Allison Altman Singles, associate professor of kinesiology and mechanical engineering and senior author on the study. “That allows some of our weight to shift and go through the stroller instead of our legs.”

Researchers did note that while vertical loading decreased, torsional loading—the amount the foot twists on the floor when pushing off—increased significantly, by more than fourfold in some cases. They believe this may be due to holding the handlebars, which limits upper-body rotation and causes the feet to twist more to compensate.

Study authors note that increase is less concerning, though, since fewer injuries tend to stem from torsional loading compared to vertical loading. Researchers also added that improved stroller design or adjusted running cues could help offset this effect.

No matter how you look at it, this foray into parent-specific research is an exciting and helpful development. “While there are a lot of data on running economy and effort, this is the first to look at how loading forces change with stroller running,” Singles explained. “Understanding this ‘biomechanical trade-off’ could inform stroller design, coaching strategies, as well as injury prevention and rehabilitation protocols for those who run with strollers.”

Want to learn more about stroller running and how to find the best jogging stroller for you? Check out these best jogging strollers, tested by active moms.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.